Nicaragua Reflections

Well we made it home. What a trip it was! I apologize for not blogging during the trip but it seemed I was always looking for something like a shower (even a cold shower) and sleep.
This trip was different than any of the previous three but thay have all beeen different. The bonding of the Califonia contingent and the Nebraska contingent is complete. We are one team. Working with the Nicaraguan doc's was amazing. They were so devoted to making a difference in the lives of their people not just medically but also spiritually which is what always calls me back to this place. We did a huge number of what to us might seem like minor procedures but to those patients it was very important. I think they really appreciated the fact that we travelled so far to care for them in ways that they would not get if we were not there. Obviously the need is endless but to those we touched we made a difference. We showed them that a group of people lead by God care enough to come and minister to there needs if only for a short time.
I cannot begin to say enough about my fellow team members but I will give a little insight. It was great to see the Tamra and Carolyn show back together. They get great things done but no one has more fun getting things done than those two. It was great to get to know Dr. Cole. He was always available to help in what ever way he was asked. He is a great example to the Nicaraguans of what a good God fearing young American is like. Karl does not get near enough credit fot the lives he touches with his mechanical and carpentry work. They may seem like small things to us but  again it shows these people that there is a group of American's that care enough to travel year after year to help them in what ever way we can. Catherine was the Pied Piper of Puerto Cabezas. She was always surrounded by what seemed like dozens of children showing them what the love of God looks like. My OR sister Sue was amazing. She probably had the most pressure to perform of any of us. We were without Keveta from CA who has always run the OR and we had Nicaraguan doctors that we knew nothing about (no pressure). Sue handled it like this was nothing new.
My thanks to all of you that supported us though your donations, your prayers, your messages of encouragement or just reading this blog. You have all read about Dennis's story and the work that God went through to get him to us. This is exactly the reason  I go and will keep going as long as I can. It is your support in the ways I have mentioned that make this trip what it is.
Dean

We will try to get more pictures posted.